Kwak Noh-jung & Samsung Electronics

Kwak Noh-jung: CEO Kwak Noh-jung's forecast of the worst shortage in 2027 and demand exceeding supply beyond 2030 underscores the severity of the supply crunch and SK Hynix's strategic response.

Samsung Electronics: Samsung holds 21% of the HBM market and is a key competitor; it is jointly planning expansion with SK Hynix in Gwangju.

Kwak Noh-jung: As CEO of SK Hynix, Kwak Noh-jung announced the specific investment details for the Cheongju plants and expressed confidence in AI-driven demand for chips despite market concerns.

Samsung Electronics: Samsung Electronics is part of the broader $2.1 trillion South Korean investment plan in semiconductors, alongside SK Hynix. Its shares also declined 9% due to general market concerns about AI overcapacity.

Kwak Noh-jung: SK Hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung characterized 2027 as potentially the most severe supply shortage in memory industry history, projecting demand will exceed capacity past 2030.

Samsung Electronics: Samsung holds about 21-22% of the HBM market and is initiating HBM4 volume production. It was surpassed by SK Hynix as South Korea's most valuable company in June 2026.

Kwak Noh-jung: Kwak Noh-jung, CEO of SK Hynix, led the company through the Nasdaq listing and expects chip shortages to persist into the next decade.

Samsung Electronics: Samsung, SK Hynix's domestic rival, saw shares fall 10% on July 13 amid broader chip sector declines. It competes in HBM and conventional memory markets.